The first thing that caught my attention as I made my way from Yas Island to Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi was an asymmetric signage that read ‘Culture District’. And on cue, I spotted a row of buildings, each of which stunned with its architectural ingenuity. I learnt later that these angled conical spires were the external facade of the soon-to-be-inaugurated Zayed National Museum. And true to its epithet, this area is home to some beautifully designed spaces whose aesthetics are on point.

Spiritual Sojourn

My first stop was at the Abrahamic Family House, a space that houses a church, synagogue and mosque under its sprawling premises and is a beacon for tolerance and understanding. With a spotless white facade, the space has been designed by Ghanaian-British architect David Adjaye and found a spot in Time magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024 list.

The Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque

My first stop is at the Eminence Ahmed Al-Tayeb Mosque, before the prayers start. The mosque requires that women cover their head and shoulders so a stole will come in handy. You are expected to be fully clothed, so do make sure you dress appropriately prior to your visit here. Named after Dr Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Al Azhar, the mosque is oriented towards Mecca and is an ode to Islamic architecture — think vaults, arches and latticework. The design is simple yet practical as it allows air circulation, controls light and ensures your privacy.

The next stop is at St Francis Church, dedicated to St Francis of Assisi, a 13th century monk. Oriented towards the rising sun, the altar design is inspired by the Vatican’s St Peter’s Basilica. The abstract crucifix has a golden hue that lights up when sunlight reflects on the same.

The Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue, named after the 12th-century Jewish philosopher, is oriented towards Jerusalem and the bronze mesh tent on the ceiling symbolises the original tabernacle.

Head out to the common area or the forum that is envisaged as a shared secular space that has a library and exhibition space and overlooks the gardens. Do not forget to make a wish on the ceramic wall plates when here.

Beachside Story

If all the walking at the Abrahamic Family House left you feeling hungry, head to the Saadiyat Beach Club, an exclusive club which is a great way to spend time on the beachfront (in an air-conditioned environment) with a great meal thrown in. The buffet here is all things finger-licking good with an excellent mix of local and international fare that will leave you asking for more.

If you want some sun, head out and make yourself comfortable around the pool deck complete with cabanas and benches. What you must do, however, is head out to dip your feet in the beautiful sea — this is a Blue Flag beach and home to thriving marine life. I am told the dolphins come up to the shore in the morning too.

Interior of the St. Francis Church

The space surrounding the beach has rugged vegetation and supports a diverse ecosystem of protected wildlife, especially the endangered hawksbill turtles as this is a nesting site. This area is also home to the humpback and bottlenose dolphins, the native Arabian gazelle, and several bird species.

With 50-plus gourmet, culinary and F&B outlets, this area of Mamsha Al Saadiyat also has the region’s first beachfront golf course with 18 holes.

Heart for Art

Once you have had your fill of the beach and food, head over to the first international outpost of the iconic Louvre in Paris (opened in 2017) to burn off all the calories as you walk through the whopping 24,000sq m space. The popularity of the space can be gauged from the fact that is the most visited museum in the entire Gulf region and houses permanent galleries as well as a temporary exhibition space.

An interactive children’s museum where you can touch and feel the exhibits (unlike the rest of the space) is also part of the space. This space is a collaboration with the Louvre in Paris and allows for the sharing of the iconic name. The best way to explore it is to take a guided tour across the 12 galleries that unfold the stories of human creativity through the ages in chronological order.

The pieces of art here showcase creative pursuits from the past to the present, and have several archaeological objects, sculptures, paintings, and installations from across the world. The experience is immersive and whether you love art or not, you will be drawn towards the pieces here as they tell a story that is unique. At the end of the tour, I find myself under the steel and aluminium dome overlooking the waterfront.

I discovered a turtle rehabilitation centre that takes care of injured turtles and releases them back after they get well. I am told saadiyat means happiness and this place is dubbed as the island of happiness. As I turn my back and step out of the Louvre, I certainly could not agree more. This is where art, culture and history come together to help make memories that are sure to last a lifetime.